Friday, 29 May 2015

The Royal Bastards

Both Louis XIV and his successor Louis XV fathered a small regiment of royal bastards. Louis XIV would eventually officially recognize his illegitimate offspring which secured them a future at court or even secure them marriages into the most illustrious families of France - to the mixed consternation and joy of his courtiers.

However, Louis XV was reluctant to recognize his illegitimate children which meant that they would never gain the same influence and status at court as their fellow-bastards. This is also why - as you will see in the following - that few of their lives are as well-known as their counterparts.

Note: Louis is believed to have been the father of both boys mainly because the Duc de Narbonne-Lara had been wounded in battle in such a manner as would render him "unable to produce offspring". Meanwhile, the Duchesse was the king's mistress for a brief period.